News

09April2018

Leading innovation and research company joins D2N2 area Enterprise Zone

A worldwide research and development business is the latest company to set up at Derby’s £12million iHub innovation centre.

Altran employs 45,000 people across the globe and has been established for 36 years. It helps its clients to innovate, and develop new products and services. It has now taken two offices at the iHub (pictured) – on Infinity Park Derby.

Infinity Park is a 100-acre technology park located south of Derby city centre. Along with three sites in Nottingham - the Nottingham Science Park, Alliance Boots Site and the Beeston Business Park - Infinity Park is part of the Nottingham and Derby Enterprise Zone. Businesses which operate from Enterprise Zone sites can enjoy business benefits such as reduced business rates, capital grants and superfast broadband provision.

D2N2 is the private sector-led LEP for Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. It is made up of business, local authority, skills and training, and community representatives; who work to grow the economy of the area, job numbers and business start-ups.

As part of its role, the D2N2 LEP oversees strategic development of sites within the Nottingham and Derby Enterprise Zone. This includes providing investment in Zone sites through its £200m-plus Local Growth Fund allocation; money provided via Government to jointly invest in infrastructure projects which directly stimulate economic and jobs growth. For example, D2N2 is investing £12.9million in Infinity Park, over six years (to 2021); including, aiding in the construction of the T12 Link Road, known as Infinity Park Way, which opened in July 2016.

The iHub on Infinity Park is part of Connect Derby, an initiative bringing together Derby city sites to provide businesses with good quality accommodation and support.

Connect Derby's other sites include Riverside Chambers and Marble Hall, both of which received redevelopment funding via D2N2's Growing Places Fund; set-up to provide 'bridge' funding for major developments which would otherwise stall due to a shortfall in investment.

Commenting on Altran's move to the iHub building, Mike Simms, CEO of Altran UK, said: “The iHub is a fantastic facility which is gaining recognition nationally. The location, services and facilities available here will support our provision of high-value engineering expertise to clients in the aerospace, automotive, energy and rail sectors.”